LEBANON VALLEY BICYCLE COALITION was organized in 2008 to make Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, a better place to bicycle. We work with elected officials and municipal, county and state governments to make certain that new road projects or redesigns consider the needs of bicyclists. We want cyclists to have the necessary skills to be able to bicycle for their transportation, recreation and health. We offer bike rides because we enjoy cycling together. We need you to strengthen our efforts. With your help, we can be more successful. Become a Member or Supporter and especially volunteer your enthusiasm, skills and knowledge. Membership and Supporter Forms can be found in the GET INVOLVED Menu.

Two Roundabouts Planned for SR 322 in Derry Township

Milton Hershey School will be submitting plans to Penn DOT to build two roundabouts and a boulevard between Homestead Road and Meadow Lane. The plans shown at the public meeting do not provide facilities for pedestrians nor for less confident cyclists or families who are cycling with children. LVBC prepared information for MHS and the Derry Township Supervisors. Read. We want these roundabouts to be constructed for all users and not result in the roundabout on Forge Road. Bicyclists and advocates for bicyclists should reach out to MHS and the Supervisors to ask them to provide for all users from the start.

USING HEADLIGHTS DURING THE DAY

Five bicyclists were killed in crashes with motorists in our region in 2014; there were also seriously injured cyclists. Four of the fatal crashes happened in full daylight. The crash in late November which resulted in the cyclist’s death was a result of a motorist who turned left into the cyclist. Without the advantage of having the reports done by law enforcement, we can only surmise what were all the factors that caused these crashes. While discussing the November fatal crash, a Manheim Township officer advised that bicyclists should be as visible as possible in daylight as well as night. He encouraged the use of strobe headlights. LVBC’s President has conversed with several bicyclists who routinely use daytime headlights. Two of these cyclists have commuted to and from work for many years. Another member observed a touring cycling club from Ohio and they all used daytime headlights. They were very visible. One member noted that we should promote the use of a light with a flash mode and that the light be rated at at least 600 lumens in the flash mode. He also uses other lights including having them on his wheels as well as reflective clothing. He notes “If you can’t see me at night you’re blind! On a mtbr forum in 2012, a member said “In times past just wearing bright clothing was thought to be enough. Like you, I believe times have changed. We need more...we need something that metaphorically reaches out and slaps the distracted driver in the face. Yeah, it will make me feel like a moron using lights during the day but it's better to be a LIVE SPECTACLE than a dead fool. “ This link, http://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/23307/does-it-make-you-safer-to-use-lights-during-the-day, may be useful in your making a decision to use day time running lights. LVBC is not endorsing a specific product or brand, and there are many from which to choose. The photograph is from our 2010 Ride of Silence on SR 422.

Arlington County, Virginia, understands the importance of developing a “bike culture”. Several years ago they started a Bike Culture Forum that brings together people who belong to varied organizations and understand what the value of a bicycle-able county can do for businesses, residents, commuters and visitors. While the Lebanon Valley is not Arlington, we can learn from their efforts and from the video that Arlington County produced, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU0oRC_gxys. This video includes educating school children, building amazing infrastructure for cyclists, promoting bike to work, bike share and more. Take 30 minutes to watch, listen and then offer your ideas. Read about the start up of the bike culture initiative: http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/news-events/blog/2012-arlington-bike-culture-forum-recap/

The Lebanon County Long Range Transportation Plan, 2015-2040: Where is Bicycling?

In June, 2014, the Lebanon County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Policy Board adopted a transportation plan for all modes of transportation for the next 25 years. The LVBC Board is very disappointed that many of our concerns and recommendations were not accepted. Twenty five years, we believe, is a long period of time without having a bicycle transportation plan for the County. If you take the time to skim through the Plan, you will find sections where LVBC has had some impact, but for those of us who have tried to be persuasive since 2008, the results are minimal. The Plan is at this link, http://www.lebcounty.org/Planning/Pages/MPO.aspx. Scroll down. If you live in Lebanon County, your assistance is needed in advising our MPO of the importance of having a plan for bicycling that can gradually be implemented over 25 years. If you are willing to help in this campaign, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thanks to the Members who have committed their personal funds to help pay for such a plan.

In spite of the poor weather conditions on January 26th, over 50 persons including 11 LVBC members attended the Alta presentation by Project Manager Melissa Miklus. Thanks to Lebanon County Planning Department and the GIS staff, there were maps printed for the various segments of the connectivity study region for participants to make recommendations. Click here to read a Patriot News article on the meeting. The following day, municipal elected officials and staff from the Townships of Derry, South Londonderry and North Londonderry and Palmyra Borough, Rep. Gingrich, Sen. Folmer, Commissioner Ames, PennDOT District 8 staff including Mike Keiser, County Transportation Planner Jon Fitzkee, Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Buckler, and LVBC members attended a very early breakfast presentation provided by LVBC. If we can sustain a collective effort to improve bicycling in our County and Derry Township, this project will be a great win. Improving the entire corridor between Lebanon County and Harrisburg is a primary goal as well. Suggestions/recommendations made at these presentations will be used by Alta to revise and complete the study. In mid February, the almost completed study will be posted on line for review and comment. We are preparing a list of individuals who want to read the study and those who want to read and will commit to providing their comments. If you want to be included, email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and indicate which of these “task” you will undertake.

Tour de Lebanon Valley – May 30th

Lebanon Valley Volunteers in Medicine Free Health Clinic asked LVBC to join with them to organize a bicycle fundraiser event. Our partnership has resulted in Tour de Lebanon Valley, www.tourdelebanonvalley.org. LVBC members will receive a $10 discount if they have become members by April 30th. Volunteer to help, register to ride, and encourage others to participate in this event. Your suggestions and ideas are important. Contact Ron Birch at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to share your ideas and to volunteer.

It has been brought to our attention by LVBC members that www.dot.state.pa.us, the website for PennDOT, does not identify bicycling as part of the comprehensive transportation system. Nor does it offer any links to bicycling information without searching. This contrasts sharply with other states such as nearby Maryland, http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/. Member Fred Richter will raise this issue at the March PPAC meeting. We anticipate that the Central Office Bike/Ped Coordinator will be hired by this time and will be able to address this absence of bicycling (and pedestrian). Bicycling can be found at “other links”. Another LVBC member provided the graphic, We’re on this Road Together, that was taken from Maryland’s State Highways site. We depend on our Members to direct our efforts to improve bicycling at the municipal, county, state and national levels.

WORRIED ABOUT CONGESTION ?

Reach your own conclusions.

Governor-Elect Tom Wolf’s Views on Bicycling

During the General Election campaign, Governor-Elect Tom Wolf responded to the questionnaire sent to both gubernatorial candidates. Governor Corbett did not respond. Review Wolf’s answers by clicking here.

POWER MOVES FOR BICYCLE COALITIONS

Randy Neufeld as the Director of the $10 million SRAM Cycling Fund is a leader in cycling advocacy nationally and internationally. From 1987 to 2009 he served as the Executive Director and then Chief Strategy Officer of Active Transportation, formally known as Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. He worked in all aspects of cycling promotion including planning, mapping, safety, marketing, design, policy, lobbying and funding. Learn from Randy’s perspective on effective advocacy by clicking here.

Bicyclists depend on Lingle Avenue to reach many destinations such as connecting to Hersheypark Drive, the Northside Shopping Center and the elementary school. Also, many bicyclists reside close by Lingle Avenue and must use Lingle. LVBC prepared a document to explain and illustrate the unsafe conditions and presented this at the June Policy Board meeting of LEBCO MPO. Read the document by clicking here. Your assistance in helping us to get Penn DOT to fix some of the conditions soon can make a difference. Tell us why you use Lingle Avenue. If you live in North Londonderry Township, Palmyra, or South Londonderry Township, ask your elected officials to help get action.

LVBC Response and Recommendations to the 2015-2040 LRTP & TIP for Lebanon County’s Comprehensive Transportation System

Due to a very condensed time period to review and make recommendations to the LRTP (Long Range Transportation Plan) and TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) that covers the next 25 years, LVBC Executive Board and our non voting representative on the Technical Planning Committee have prepared and approved a response. It can be read here. The packet includes the FHWA documents on planning for bicycling as a mode of transportation, federal recommendations for the use of CMAQ funds and past requests that LVBC has made since 2010. The TIP/LRTP can be revised during the 25 year span. However, with the increased funding provided by Act 89, the state transportation bill, that bicyclists and bicycle advocacy organizations worked diligently to get passed by the legislature, the time is now when bicycling and walking, should be clearly shown to be part of the comprehensive transportation system of Lebanon County in the MPOs’ Action items and on the Transportation Improvement Program for 2015-2018.

The League’s American Bicyclist Magazines are a Valuable Resource

If you are not a member of the League, you can still read their magazine, American Bicyclist. The publication provides much information including plenty of examples of what is happening for cyclists in the USA and sometimes much father away.

What you learn may be very “transferable” to Lebanon County no matter which of the 5 Es, Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Encouragement or Equity, is the topic. Go to http://bikeleague.org/americanbicyclist. The latest issue is not immediately posted on their website.

Lebanon County Bicycle Transportation Priorities Map

The Priorities Map depicts which state roads need immediate improvements. The Map also identifies where signage, Bikes May Use Full Lane and Begin Right Turn, Yield to Bikes, should be installed. There are recommendations for shared lane markings (sharrows). You can access the Map by clicking here.

Providing Mentoring to New and “Returning” Bicyclists

Coalition members will mentor bicyclists who are just starting to bike or returning to this great way to become fit, have fun, and use their bikes for many utilitarian purposes. If you want an experienced bicyclist to ride with you and offer advice, complete the survey provided on Survey Monkey. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JZMF2D8

There is also much information available for both adults and youth under the Education section of this website. These include links to videos.